9818184

Method for Acquiring and Processing Medical Images

PublishedNovember 14, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
13 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method for acquiring and processing a medical image for a human body or an animal body, wherein the medical image is obtained from a first point of a target whose medical image is to be generated to a second point opposite the first point and the medical image is a sum of images obtained in regions (wherein a region comprising the first point is a first region, a region comprising the second point is an n-th region, an image corresponding to the first region is defined to be a first sectional image, and an image corresponding to the n-th region is defined to be an n-th sectional image) obtained by dividing a region between the first point and the second point n times (wherein n>2, n is a positive integer greater than 2), Wherein defining that sequentially obtaining the first sectional image to the n-th sectional image from the first region to the n-th region or sequentially obtaining the n-th sectional image to the first sectional image from the n-th region to the first region is sequential sectional-image acquisition, the method comprising: obtaining the first to n-th sectional images of the first to n-th regions through non-sequential sectional-image acquisition starting from one of the first to n-th regions; sequentially arranging the obtained first to n-th sectional images; and registering the medical image with a second medical image of the target whose medical image is to be generated, wherein more time is needed in obtaining the medical image than in obtaining the second medical image; wherein in obtaining the first to n-th sectional images through non- sequential sectional-image acquisition, after p-th to q-th sectional images including a primary interest region or a region having a movement (wherein p is an integer, 1≦p<n, q is an integer, and p≦q<n) are obtained, remaining sectional images are obtained.

Plain English Translation

A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first to n-th sectional images are obtained by a first medical image apparatus which is relatively movable along the first to n-th division regions with respect to the target whose medical image is to be generated.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method, as described above, where a medical imaging device moves relative to the body to capture the first to nth sectional images. The first to nth sectional images of the first to n-th regions through non-sequential sectional-image acquisition starting from one of the first to n-th regions; sequentially arranging the obtained first to n-th sectional images; and registering the medical image with a second medical image of the target whose medical image is to be generated, wherein more time is needed in obtaining the medical image than in obtaining the second medical image; wherein in obtaining the first to n-th sectional images through non- sequential sectional-image acquisition, after p-th to q-th sectional images including a primary interest region or a region having a movement (wherein p is an integer, 1≦p<n, q is an integer, and p≦q<n) are obtained, remaining sectional images are obtained.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising registering the medical image with a second medical image of the target whose medical image is to be generated, wherein the second medical image is obtained by a second medical image apparatus provided in a relative moving direction of the first medical image apparatus.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method using a moving imaging device, as described above, also involves aligning the resulting medical image with a second medical image. A first medical imaging device moves relative to the body, as the second imaging device obtains the additional image. The first to nth sectional images of the first to n-th regions through non-sequential sectional-image acquisition starting from one of the first to n-th regions; sequentially arranging the obtained first to n-th sectional images; and registering the medical image with a second medical image of the target whose medical image is to be generated, wherein more time is needed in obtaining the medical image than in obtaining the second medical image; wherein in obtaining the first to n-th sectional images through non- sequential sectional-image acquisition, after p-th to q-th sectional images including a primary interest region or a region having a movement (wherein p is an integer, 1≦p<n, q is an integer, and p≦q<n) are obtained, remaining sectional images are obtained.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical image is a PET image.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method, where the resulting image is a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) image, obtained from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein in obtaining the first to n-th sectional images, the first to m-th sectional images (wherein m is an integer and 1≦m<n) are obtained starting from the first point and the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images are obtained starting from the second point.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method, where instead of scanning sequentially from one end to the other, it scans from both ends toward the middle. It starts by capturing the first to m-th sectional images from the first point and then captures the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images from the second point. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first to m-th sectional images comprise information about a head and neck of the target whose medical image is to be generated.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method of scanning from both ends toward the middle, where the first to m-th sectional images capture information about the head and neck of the target. The method starts by capturing the first to m-th sectional images from the first point and then captures the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images from the second point. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first to m-th sectional images comprise information about a pelvis of the target whose medical image is to be generated.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method of scanning from both ends toward the middle, where the first to m-th sectional images capture information about the pelvis of the target. The method starts by capturing the first to m-th sectional images from the first point and then captures the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images from the second point. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising registering the medical image with a second medical image of the target whose medical image is to be generated, wherein the first to n-th sectional images are obtained by a first medical image apparatus which is relatively movable along the first to n-th division regions with respect to the target whose medical image is to be generated, and the second medical image is obtained by a second medical image apparatus provided in a relative moving direction of the first medical image apparatus.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method comprises registering the resulting image with another medical image of the same target, where the first to nth sectional images are obtained using a first moving medical imaging device and the second medical image is obtained using a second medical imaging device. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the medical image is a PET image.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method, using two imaging devices, where the first medical image (first to nth sectional images) is a PET image. The first to nth sectional images are obtained using a first moving medical imaging device and the second medical image is obtained using a second medical imaging device. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second medical image is a CT image.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method using two imaging devices where the first medical image is a PET image, and the second medical image is a CT image. The first to nth sectional images are obtained using a first moving medical imaging device and the second medical image is obtained using a second medical imaging device. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein in obtaining the first to n-th sectional images, the first to m-th sectional images (m is an integer and 1≦m<n) starting from the first point, and the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images are obtained starting from the second point.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method using PET and CT images from two devices, further using a two-ended scanning approach. The method captures the first to m-th sectional images from the first point, then captures the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images from the second point. The first to nth sectional images are obtained using a first moving medical imaging device and the second medical image is obtained using a second medical imaging device. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first to m-th sectional images comprise information about a head and neck of the target whose medical image is to be generated.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method using PET and CT images with two-ended scanning, where the first to m-th sectional images capture information about the head and neck of the target. The method captures the first to m-th sectional images from the first point, then captures the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images from the second point. The first to nth sectional images are obtained using a first moving medical imaging device and the second medical image is obtained using a second medical imaging device. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first to m-th sectional images comprise information about a pelvis of the target whose medical image is to be generated.

Plain English Translation

The medical image acquisition method using PET and CT images with two-ended scanning, where the first to m-th sectional images capture information about the pelvis of the target. The method captures the first to m-th sectional images from the first point, then captures the n-th to (m+1)-th sectional images from the second point. The first to nth sectional images are obtained using a first moving medical imaging device and the second medical image is obtained using a second medical imaging device. A method for creating and processing a medical image of a human or animal body, from a first point to an opposite second point, where the image is a combination of smaller images. The body region between the two points is divided into 'n' regions (n > 2). Instead of taking images of the regions sequentially (1st to nth, or nth to 1st), the method obtains the sectional images in a non-sequential order. Once acquired, the images are arranged sequentially, and then the resulting medical image is registered with another medical image of the same target, but the original medical image takes longer to get. Notably, the method prioritizes capturing sectional images of a region of interest or a region with movement, even if it's not in sequential order before capturing the remaining sections.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

November 14, 2017

Inventors

Jae Seung KIM
Jong Jin LEE
Jung Su OH
Jae Kwang RYU
Woo Young JUNG

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